*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
A maximum field of 25 runners will go to post in the Ayr Gold Cup, the richest Flat race in Scotland, on Saturday.
The 6f sprint boasts a prize fund worth £200,000 and the first runner past the post will bag a cool £77,310 for connections. Bielsa claimed the top prize in last year’s renewal and is back to defend the crown.
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Commanche Falls, meanwhile, is bidding to become the first horse to win the Stewards’ Cup and Ayr Gold Cup in the same season since 1996, but the five-year-old has to carry top weight of 9st 12lbs.
The latest Ayr Gold Cup odds are on the Paddy Power website, otherwise you’ll find Timeform’s nifty runner-by-runner guide and an early tip from the boffins below.
Ayr Gold Cup runners
Commanche Falls
Trainer: Michael Dods Jockey: Connor Beasley Age: 5 Weight: 9st 12lbs Draw: 9
Really game sort who landed Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood for second year running before posting excellent second to Summerghand at York four weeks ago. Firmly in the picture off an unchanged mark.
****
Sir Dancelot
Trainer: John Butler Jockey: Paul Mulrennan Age: 8 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 19
Very useful sprinter at his best but winless since 2019 and below par in 7f Goodwood handicaps on his last two outings. Needs a big step forward.
**
Escobar
Trainer: David O’Meara Jockey: David Nolan Age: 8 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 7
Made a successful return at York in May and has largely run well since, third of 5 in 1m listed race at Sandown 3 days ago. Drops in trip but not ruled out with the likely strong pace sure to suit.
***
Vadream
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes Jockey: Oisin James Orr Age: 4 Weight: 9st 8lbs Draw: 21
Ascot Group 3 winner last autumn who got back on track in first-time cheekpieces when head second of 9 in 6f listed race at Newmarket 21 days ago. No forlorn hope on her handicap debut.
***
Zarzyni
Trainer: David & Nicola Barron Jockey: Ben Curtis Age: 5 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 11
Has improved further this year with cheekpieces fitted, winning 5f Musselburgh handicap and in the frame in Palace House Stakes and 5f Ascot handicap. Poorly drawn at York last time so he’s much respected.
***
Mr Wagyu
Trainer: John Quinn Jockey: Jason Hart Age: 7 Weight: 9st 7lbs Draw: 15
Admirable sprinter who has enjoyed another good season, winning at Epsom and the Curragh. Good third in this contest 12 months ago and not taken lightly again.
***
Documenting
Trainer: Kevin Frost Jockey: Jack Mitchell Age: 9 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 24
Got off the mark for 2022 in 7f handicap at Newbury in August and not disgraced off 3 lb higher mark when twelfth of 16 in 7f handicap at Ascot 14 days ago. Strong traveller who is one to consider.
***
Summerghand
Trainer: David O’Meara Jockey: Daniel Tudhope Age: 8 Weight: 9st 5lbs Draw: 12
Gained a deserved win in big-field 6f Yortk handicap in August and not disgraced upped to listed company when fifth at Newmarket three weeks ago. Ought to be competitive again under a 5 lb penalty.
***
Volatile Analyst
Trainer: Keith Dalgleish Jockey: Callum Rodriguez Age: 5 Weight: 9st 4lbs Draw: 16
Dual 6f/7f winner early this year but he came in last of five in 7f Redcar handicap 42 days ago. This C&D scorer needs to bounce back.
***
Popmaster
Trainer: Ed Walker Jockey: George Downing Age: 4 Weight: 9st 3lbs Draw: 23
Runner-up in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot in June and back on song when fourth there 14 days ago. Shortlisted in his bid for a first win of 2022.
***
Bielsa
Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Kevin Stott Age: 7 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 17
Operating below his best so far this season, never-nearer fifth in 6f Chester listed event in July, but he’s now back on a mark just 1 lb higher than when posting a career best to win this 12 months ago. Firmly in the picture.
****
Gulliver
Trainer: David O’Meara Jockey: Jason Watson Age: 8 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 25
It’s now twenty runs since his last win in 2020 but he took a step back in the right direction when sixth of 20 in 6f handicap at the Curragh 6 days ago. Possibilities.
***
Bergerac
Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Tom Eaves Age: 4 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 8
Has taken his form un a notch since the blinkers went on, bagging handicaps at Newmarket and York last month. Much respected in his hat-trick bid under a 5 lb penalty.
***
Khanjar
Trainer: William Haggas Jockey: Jim Crowley Age: 3 Weight: 9st 1lbs Draw: 5
Much improved since sent handicapping, and he returned from a two-month lay-off to go 2-3 at Haydock (6f) 15 days ago. Has a fair bit more to offer and he’s expected to be bang there under a 5 lb penatly.
*****
Gis A Sub
Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Shane Gray Age: 3 Weight: 9st 0lbs Draw: 14
Runner-up in the Gimcrack at York last summer. Gelded and posted much his best effort this term when ninth of 22 in handicap at York (5.4f) 31 days ago. No forlorn hope if building on that effort with cheekpieces retained.
***
Fivethousandtoone
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Graham Lee Age: 4 Weight: 8st 13lbs Draw: 3
Capitalised on a reduced mark when ending a long losing run in 6f Goodwood handicap 20 days ago. Not entirely dismissed under a 5 lb penalty.
***
Honey Sweet
Trainer: K. R. Burke Jockey: Clifford Lee Age: 3 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 20
Yet to score this term but she arrives on the back of a good fifth in Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster (7f) 10 days ago. Visor goes on now with more needed at these weights returned to handicap company.
**
Chiefofchiefs
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes Jockey: Rossa Ryan Age: 9 Weight: 8st 12lbs Draw: 4
Winless since the 2020 Wokingham consolation but he often runs with credit in big-field handicaps. Not best drawn when 15th at Ascot (7f) last time and can’t be ruled out.
***
Motagally
Trainer: Scott Dixon Jockey: Dale Swift Age: 6 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 22
Very good fourth in this event 12 months ago for Charlie Hills. Only twice raced for current yard but not discredited when fifth of 19 in Portland at Doncaster six days ago. Considered.
***
Tinto
Trainer: Michael Dods Jockey: Mark Winn Age: 6 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 2
Largely in excellent form for his current yard this term, scoring twice over 6f, and eighth of 17 to Summerghand at York four weeks ago. Not discounted with good 7 lb claimer now up.
***
Lucky Man
Trainer: Richard Spencer Jockey: P. J. McDonald Age: 3 Weight: 8st 11lbs Draw: 13
Has taken his form up another notch since the cheekpieces went on, recording his first turf win in 6f York handicap 13 days ago. Player once more under a 5 lb penalty.
****
Admiral D
Trainer: Richard Fahey Jockey: Oisin McSweeney Age: 3 Weight: 8st 10lbs Draw: 10
Dual winner at 2 yrs (on soft ground) in Ireland who has shaped with some promise this year, sixth of 10 in handicap at Doncaster (7f) 9 days ago. Can make his presence felt, especially if the ground eases.
***
Pendleton
Trainer: Michael Dods Jockey: Cam Hardie Age: 6 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 6
Isn’t proving the easiest to catch right and he came in last of 11 in 6f handicap at Thirsk 22 days ago. Cheekpieces replace visor and now 12 runs without a victory.
**
Juan Les Pins
Trainer: Michael Appleby Jockey: Andrew Mullen Age: 5 Weight: 8st 9lbs Draw: 18
Has continued his resurgence this summer for his current yard, readily completing a four-timer at Doncaster in August. Not discredited when 7th there six days ago and he can’t be totally dismissed.
***
Aleezdancer
Trainer: Kevin Ryan Jockey: Rowan Scott Age: 3 Weight: 8st 8lbs Draw: 1
Benefited from the drop back in trip when landing 6f Ripon handicap in August before backing it up with good third to Lucky Man at York 13 days ago. Goes well with ease in the ground and needs considering.
****
Ayr Gold Cup tips
Timeform: William Haggas’ low-mileage 3-y-o KHANJAR hasn’t looked back since sent handicapping and with the likely strong pace sure to suit he can take another sizeable step forward and claim his most prestigious prize yet. Last year’s winner Bielsa has yet to hit top form this term but is now weighted to go well so seems sure to have a say. Lucky Man impressed when scoring at York at the start of the month and is another who is firmly in the picture. Aleezdancer and Commanche Falls complete the shortlist.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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